The United States needs to return to compliance with its commitments under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.
"China strongly opposes the United States’ withdrawal from that treaty. We believe that Russia and the US should resolve disagreements as soon as possible and return to [compliance with] the accord," the diplomat said at a press briefing.
According to Lu Kang, Moscow’s and Washington’s decision to quit the deal will have an adverse effect on global security, TASS reported.
Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree suspending Russia’s compliance with the INF Treaty until the U.S. addresses the violation of obligations under the Treaty or until the Treaty is terminated.
On February 1, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the suspension of Washington’s obligations under the INF starting February 2. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that Washington is determined to withdraw from the treaty in six months' time unless Russia returns to "real and verifiable" compliance.
On February 2, Putin announced that Moscow was likewise suspending the agreement. He handed down instructions to refrain from initiating talks with Washington on the issue and stressed that the US needed to show willingness for an equal and substantive dialogue.
